1999 BMW 3 Series

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Cooling system failures All years

  What to check: Ask when the radiator, expansion tank, water pump, thermostat and fan were last renewed, look for coolant leaks, and watch the temperature gauge on a long drive. Plan to renew the lot if there is no record.

  Seven people in two owner forum threads, one American and one British, treat the cooling system as a part that wears out, and two of them say to replace all of it unless there is proof it was done. A British buying guide lists fans breaking, expansion tanks leaking, radiators failing and thermostats sticking. A 2001 recall replaced cooling fans that could stop, overheat the engine or catch fire.

  Sources ^8,9,10,11

• Failing window regulators All years

  What to check: Run every window up and down. Clicking, clacking or a slow window points to a regulator on its way out.

  Four people in two owner forum threads say the window regulators fail, one calling them junk. A British buying guide says a failing one can snap in cold weather.

  Sources ^8,9,10

• Cracks where the rear subframe meets the floor All years

  What to check: Look under the car at the floor around the rear subframe mounts for cracks or repair welds. One poster notes the only sure check is to drop the subframe.

  Three forum posters in two threads say the rear floor can crack or tear at the subframe mounts, one adding that weld-in plates fix it. Four others in the American thread call it overblown, or a problem mainly for the M3 and hard-driven cars. A British buying guide also tells buyers to check the floor there.

  Sources ^8,9,10

• Worn front suspension All years

  What to check: Listen for clonks from the front over bumps, and ask whether the control arm bushes and ball joints have been renewed.

  A British buying guide puts front clonks down to worn bushes or dampers, mostly on Sport models, and a British forum buying guide to ball joints or wishbone bushes.

  Sources ^10,9

• Automatic gearbox fluid never changed All years One source so far

  What to check: Ask whether the automatic's fluid has been changed.

  A British buying guide says the automatic needs a fluid change by 100,000 miles, although it was sold as filled for life and the change is not in BMW's schedule.

  Sources ¹⁰

• Convertible roof that will not open All years One source so far

  What to check: Open and close the roof a few times.

  A British buying guide says plastic teeth in the roof latch wear and split, which can leave the roof locked shut, and that a failed motor costs more.

  Sources ¹⁰

Recalls

• 99V063000 1999

  The side airbags and head protection can go off after a hard knock that is not a crash, such as a pothole or kerb, and the engine then cannot be restarted. The control module is reprogrammed.^12,13

• 99V100000 1999

  The clip holding the brake booster pushrod to the pedal may not have been fitted properly. If it comes off, the brakes do not work. The clip is checked and replaced if loose.^14,13

• 02V223000 1999–2000

  The side airbags can go off after a hard knock that is not a crash, such as a pothole or kerb. The airbag control module is recalibrated.^15,13

• 19V851000 1999

  Driver airbag inflators from one Takata plant can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. BMW advises not driving the car until the inflator is checked.¹³

• 19V852000 1999–2000

  Driver airbag inflators can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. They are checked and replaced as needed.¹³

• 19V853000 1999–2001

  Driver airbag inflators fitted as replacements can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. They are replaced.^16,13

• 21V401000 1999–2001

  Takata driver airbag inflators that were checked earlier but not replaced can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. The inflator is replaced.^17,18,13

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: The Performance Package (ZHP) All years One source so far

  BimmerFile calls the 330i's Performance Package much sought after, and notes the sedan had it for only three years, which makes one hard to find used.¹⁹

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.